CN1166225C - Apparatus and method for billing in a wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention including the steps of receiving a mobile identification number identifying a mobile unit (36), performing a multilateration location measurement (116) based on a nonperiodic signal received from the mobile unit, retrieving a location zone (210) from a memory based on the mobile identification number, comparing the multilateration location measurement with the location zone, and generating a billing record (214) for the mobile unit.

Description

Apparatus and method for billing in wireless communication system

technical field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to charging calls in wireless communication systems.

Background technique

The telephony concept known as "one number" service, which provides personal mobility using a single number to be able to contact a person anywhere at any time, is becoming commonplace. One way of providing such a number telephone service is to classify telephone calls as residential, business or cellular.

In traditional wireless networks, a number service is typically provided by using special infrastructure equipment at the user's location, or by requiring the user to perform some form of manual intervention. This particular infrastructure approach typically provides a personal base station at the subscriber's residence and a wireless private branch exchange at the office. However, special infrastructure equipment adds additional expense and complexity to the system. Furthermore, in order to support such a service, this system requires changes to the radio interface used by the radio network, forcing the subscriber to purchase a new subscriber mobile unit.

Another conventional system provides a number service by requiring manual operation by the user. In this system, a user transferring from a mobile environment, such as in a car, to a residential location uses manual operations, such as pressing a specific button on the mobile unit in a manner similar to traditional call forwarding, to transfer the user to The system is notified of the position change. The system then routes the call to the user's residence. However, forwarding a user's manual action is inconvenient for many users and may result in incorrect billing, for example, when a user forgets to take the appropriate action.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for providing a one number service without requiring manual intervention by the user and reducing the amount of special infrastructure used to provide the service.

To meet this need and other objects, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for billing in a wireless communication system. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a mobile identification number uniquely identifying the mobile unit; performing a multilateration location measurement based on an aperiodic signal received from the mobile unit, retrieving a position from memory based on the mobile identification number area; compare multilevel location measurements to location areas and generate a billing record for the mobile unit.

The apparatus includes a base station; a position measurement device; a memory coupled to the base station; and a processor responsive to the base station and memory. The base station receives a mobile identification number that uniquely identifies the mobile unit. The position measurement means performs a multi-level position measurement based on an aperiodic signal received from the mobile unit. The memory includes a location area associated with the mobile identification number. The processor compares the multi-level positioning measurements with a retrieved location area and generates a billing record for the mobile unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication system is provided. The wireless communication system includes a base station; a mobile unit location module; a transcoder responsive to the base transceiver station and the mobile unit location module; and a location storage module including a location function controller and a location cache device.

Description of drawings

A better understanding of the invention itself, as well as its intended advantages, may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a wireless communication system.

FIG. 2 is a message flow diagram illustrating an example of a preferred flow of messages between components of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a message flow diagram illustrating another example of a preferred message flow between components of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred method of operation of the positioning function controller of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred method of operation of the location sensitive billing application of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred method of operation of the location cache of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a typical field layout of the system of FIG. 1. FIG.

Detailed ways

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a wireless communication system 10 including improved location detection means for implementing location sensitive billing. By implementing location-sensitive charging, the system 10 provides new services, such as one-number services. In the preferred embodiment, system 10 includes location finding equipment (LFE) 12, a transcoder (XC) 14, a home location register (HLR) 16, an operation and maintenance center (OMCR) 18, a mobile switching center (MSC) 20, a base station (BTS) 22, and an operator workstation 24 called XYTP/GIS. HLR 16 includes various software components such as a Location Function Controller (LFC) 26, a Location Cache (LC) 28, a Location Sensitive Billing Application (LSB) 30, and an HLR Application 32. LFE 12 is a conventional mobile unit location detection system such as that described in US Patent No. 5,317,323.

While the LFE 12 is shown connected to the system 10, alternatively, it is contemplated that the position measurement functionality could be deployed within the mobile unit. In this case, the BTS 22 associated with the mobile subscriber unit will request positioning data from the mobile subscriber unit. There are many mobile subscriber units that include location detection systems using multi-level or other location techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Preferably the XC14 is a Motorola transcoder and the BTS22 is a MotorolaBTS. Motorola transcoders and BTSs are available as components within the Motorola SC9600 base station. Preferably HLR16 is a Motorola HLR, such as Motorola part #CGDST16SK20041. Preferably OMCR18 is a Motorola Operations and Maintenance Center with a standard Motorola CBSC or GSM. Preferably MSC 20 is a Motorola MSC residing within the Motorola EMX 2500 ^(TM) cellular system.

It should be noted that the system 10 described in FIG. 1 reflects a common positioning service structure, which can provide various location-based services, not just a number service, such as wireless emergency 911, Fleet management and Mobile Yellow Pages.

When in operation, LFE 12 monitors the dedicated control channels of the wireless system for aperiodic signals indicative of user access. Upon detection of an aperiodic signal such as a subscriber access message, the LFE 12 calculates the angle of arrival and time of arrival of the data, which characterizes the pulse of the access signal. By measuring the location of a subscriber based on an aperiodic signal received from the subscriber unit, an approximate location can advantageously be determined during call setup prior to the subscriber communicating with other subscribers. This information is then forwarded to XC14 via a dedicated control link placed within the BTS interface used between BTS22 and XC14. LFE12 can also be ordered to complete voice channel signal characterization. In this case, the desired frequency to be measured is communicated to the LFE 12 via a dedicated control link. The LFE12 then performs the aforementioned angle and time of arrival calculations and forwards the resulting data to the XC14. Although only one LFE 12 is shown in FIG. 1, preferably there are multiple LFEs in the system 10.

BTS 22 is responsible for standard radio interface management, which is related to the radio interface used to communicate with the subscriber unit. BTS22 and LFE12 can share a physical communication link (T1/E1) supporting LFE12 and BTS22 interface to XC14. On the other hand, BTS22 and LFE12 can also be placed in the same hardware platform. Preferably there are multiple BTSs 22 in the system 10, although only one BTS 22 is shown for purposes of illustration.

XC 14 is responsible for the termination of the T1 lines transmitted from the various base stations 22 . This termination includes audio information and control information. Audio information is transcoded by XC14 from sub-rate to full-rate speech and directed to MSC20. XC14 also terminates the control link, typically using an LAPD protocol, for each BTS22 and LFE12. The control link is used to communicate location, call handling, and O&M information between the job site and the XC14. To direct location data, XC14 has a communication interface to HLR16, typically a conventional SS7 interface. Since multiple LFEs 12 and BTS addresses 22 terminate in a single XC 14, it is preferable to combine location data from multiple LFEs 12 to improve I/O throughput. For example, instead of forwarding individual location data from each LFE 12 back to the HLR 16, the XC14 combines multiple sets of location data from many LFEs 12 and sends the combined data to the HLR 16 as a whole, thereby reducing overall I/O requirements .

OMCR18 is responsible for BTS22 and LFE12 on-site management, and provides maintenance functions, such as alarm reporting, downloading and device control.

The MSC 20 acts as a traditional cell switch, providing call routing, billing, and handover coordination. The MSC 20 supports an off-board or independent subscriber database (HLR) 16, which is used for query subscriber and call routing data. When making a call in the service area of high tariff rate, MSC 20 can borrow a single tone to give a notification to the user. Finally, MSC20 can support a number charging function, which can integrate the regional charging standard information into the detailed charging records. The MSC 20 may also provide physical interconnection between the XC 14 and the HLR 16 via fixed connections in some installations.

The LFC 26 is a controller used to coordinate real-time location requests (typically voice channel locations) and process unsolicited and requested LFE 12 location data using layer location technology. The LFC 26 receives data from the LFE 12 and calculates an aggregate latitude, longitude and confidence data. For real-time positioning requests, through the XC14, the LFC26 delegates and instructs at least one of the LFEs12 to measure the mobile user's position.

LC28 acts as a repository, or database, for location data. The location information calculated by LFC 26 is stored in a location cache in LC 28 for later use. The mobile ID, location update time and location data are all saved in the data. By applications requiring location data for a particular service, eg a number service, the location cache is usually consulted once per subscriber. The location cache also supports a subscription service enabling applications to subscribe to the service of automatically notifying any particular user of detected location changes. Ordering services are beneficial for real-time applications such as Fleet Management.

The LSB application 30 is the user of the positioning data, which supports the one number service. This is usually performed by the HLR application 32 after placing a call by a subscriber who has subscribed to a number service. The HLR application 32 notifies the LSB 30 of the caller identity. LSB 30 then determines whether the calling subscriber is operating within a predetermined area or within a macrocell environment, and then notifies the mobile unit of the charging process according to the subscriber's service area. LSB 30 can generate a billing record for the call which characterizes the access zone.

HLR application 32 includes a system 10 subscriber database. Typically the subscriber record resides within the HLR application 30 along with an ordered set of service attributes. When making a call related to the user of the service, the switch 20 queries the HLR32. According to the user's service attribute, the HLR32 may change the flow of the call by means of the switch 20. For example, HLR32 can instruct the exchange to play a single tone, or generate billing records. The HLR application 32 interfaces with the LSB application 30 via messaging or triggers related to user service attribute sets. The HLR application 32 also interfaces with the MSC 20 for call control.

System 10 provides a location-based charging service. System 10 allows users to create virtual workspaces, such as "home", "office". "cells" without introducing any special infrastructure or handsets. The same subscriber unit can be used in the respective areas and the system determines different billing rates for calls depending on the location of the subscriber unit. By subdividing the cellular network, the system 10 provides different charging standards to different operating areas to support individual user needs. From a network or call forwarding perspective, system 10 provides a unique solution to a variety of circumstances conducive to improved one number services.

When a user orders the service, two methods of area allocation are possible. The first or static method requires users to inform the service provider of the actual address (ie street address) of the place they desire service. The operator enters this information through the XYTP-GIS component, where the address is stored in the database as the latitude/longitude location for that particular user area. For our example, two zones "Residential and Business" are entered, and the range outside of these two zones is considered a "cell".

The second form of regional allocation is more dynamic in nature. After the user has subscribed to a number service through the service provider, the user specifies the area through the service attribute code (such as ^* 71). When the code is dialed, the system 10 determines the user's location at that time and stores this information in the database as the location of the area selected for this particular user. For example, a user can dial ^* 71 at home to identify a residential area, and dial ^* 72 at work to identify a work area.

When the location of at least one zone has been stored in the system 10, the billing function can be activated. Whenever the user initiates a call, the system 10 preferably notifies the user of the current workspace based on the user's current location by means of a tone or numeric message. The system 10 generates a billing information based on the charging rate for the current zone, so that a billing system can distinguish the appropriate tariff for each call according to the current zone. If the subscriber is not in the desired area, it is preferable to allow the calling subscriber to disconnect the call within a certain period of time without charge. For this additional reason, according to a subscriber access information, or alternatively, according to a landline termination message for a mobile call, location measurements are preferably performed so that the current area to notify the user.

Without specialized cell infrastructure and without requiring manual operations by users, the system 10 provides one number services at various billing rates to users in various locations, such as at home, at work, or while driving User. From the system 10 point of view, there is no distinction between forwarding calls within or outside the macrocell environment. Additionally, a call can be routed wherever the mobile unit is currently located. Routing by time of day or based on aliased numbers is not required, as is the case in at least some conventional systems.

The basic flow of information between components is the focus of the attached "location update" data flow, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. To illustrate making a call, Figure 2 depicts the access of a mobile device. Upon receipt of an aperiodic signal such as a control channel access 50 from a subscriber unit, the LFE 12 calculates angle and time information (TOA/AOA) characterizing the access. Alternatively, other convenient positioning techniques and related information may be used, such as Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA). In another embodiment, it is also contemplated that the mobile unit can determine an approximate location and transmit a message to the base station 22 containing the location information. An example of a system for accomplishing such location measurements might incorporate a standard Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver within the subscriber unit. Such a combined GPS receiver and subscriber unit is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Any description below that refers to TOA or AOA is equally applicable to those other positioning techniques. This positioning information 62 is forwarded via the transcoder 14 to the LFC 26 . Note that transcoder 14 may combine multiple LFE location reports before forwarding them to LFC 26 in order to improve the overall I/O throughput of the system. The LFC 26 associates the TOA with the AOA for a particular mobile access system 10 , and the LFC 26 uses this information in multi-level calculations to generate location (latitude/longitude) data 60 . Positioning data 60 is then forwarded to LC 28 where it is stored for later use.

From the point of view of using the data 60, two modes of operation are possible, each of which will be described below. The particular mode chosen is based on the availability of interactive call control capabilities within MSC 20.

In a first approach, shown in Figure 2, an "Intelligent Network" (IN) call model is used. The IN call model allows interactive call control, preferably using Motorola's Distributed Mobile Exchange (DMX) protocol as the control protocol. When a mobile access 50 occurs, the BTS 22 generates a "service request" message 52 and sends it to the MSC 20. The service request message 52 includes a mobile identification number identifying the mobile unit, which is recovered from the control channel access 50 of the identified mobile unit. When the service request message 52 arrives at the MSC 20, a call trigger or inquiry signal is reflected to the HLR platform 16. The HLR 16 informs the LSB 30 of the access by means of the "LSB call" message 58 and awaits further processing instructions. LSB 30 queries LC 28 for location information by sending a "Reg.Loc, data" message 54 . Positioning data 60 is returned to LSB 30, which determines what charging area the user is located in. LSB 30 informs HLR 16 to proceed with the call, and HLR 16 then informs MSC 20 to continue processing by means of a "Val.Rsp." message 66 . Interactive control capabilities within MSC 20 allow for the introduction of multi-tone or voice information to the calling user prior to completion of the call. In this way, the caller can be informed of the service area rate in relation to the billing area by way of voice prompts.

The second mode of operation without interactive call control is shown in FIG. 3 . In this model, LSB 30 orders update information from LC 28 for all users of the LSB property. Once the location data 60 is received at the LC 28, the subscribing user's location data 60 is automatically forwarded to the LSB 30 using a "Subscribed Loc." message 68 in order to generate billing records and optionally notify the user of rate information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a preferred method of operation for the location function controller (LFC) 26 . Processing begins in idle state 100. If the LFE 12 receives unprocessed (ie angle of arrival from a single location, time of arrival) positioning data, a message is analyzed at 102 . Here it is determined whether this is the first part of the positioning data received in decision step 104 in the multi-slice sequence. If it is the first part of the data, then flow moves to step 106 and dynamic memory is allocated to temporarily store the data until other site reports and lateral surveys can be performed. From here, control moves to step 108, where an integrated timer is set, such as a three-second timer, and the process returns to idle state 100. Set a timer based on the amount of time allowed to collect location data points. In decision step 104, if it is determined that this is not the first portion of the data calculated for this particular location, then flow moves to step 110 where a new data point and previously collected points are stored. Referring to step 126 , if a sufficient number of positioning data points have been received, for example at least three data points in the TDOA system or at least two positioning data points in the TOA/AOA system, then processing continues at step 114 . Otherwise, control returns to the idle state, step 100.

Flow moves to step 112 when the timer expires. Then at step 114 all data collected up to that point is retrieved and multi-level calculations begin. The result of these calculations is the location information described at step 116, such as latitude, longitude and confidence factors. If no valid data is present, step 122, a default location is assigned, which corresponds to the location (latitude and longitude) of the cell providing the service, step 124. If valid data is present, step 122, then control flows to step 118. The location information is formatted as a message and forwarded to LC 28 at step 118 . Thereafter the dynamic resources are released, step 120, and the process returns to the idle state, step 100.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a preferred method for LSB 30 operation. Processing begins at 202 when a trigger signal is received from the call processing function indicating that a call has been made or received by a user having the LSB active attribute. Then at step 204, the LSB 30 obtains the location information from the location cache or LC28. Based on the timestamp indicating the reliability of the positioning data, at decision step 206, LSB 30 determines whether the received data is valid. If no valid positioning data is obtained, step 206, the system specifies a default tariff area, step 208, and proceeds to step 212. If effective positioning data is obtained, step 206 determines the user rate area relative to this data, and step 210 compares the user's location with the predetermined rate area for the user, preferably a straight line distance calculation relationship. A classification routine determines in which area a point defined by latitude and longitude lies. Once the zone location is determined, the subscriber is preferably notified if he is outside the lowest rate zone. This can be done by audio or video means, shown in step 212 . Finally, a charging record is generated, which at least includes mobile identification, access area, time and date, step 214 . Here, the application returns to the idle state, step 200 .

In the preferred embodiment, a user zone is defined as a latitude, a longitude and a configured nominal zone radius. The nominal area radius is usually related to the inaccuracies of the measurement equipment, and can be set by the operator specifying the behavior of the location infrastructure across the system. Figure 7 depicts an example of a special location zone that includes a nominal zone radius. Information for each user is stored in a database for each area of each user. In a number service attribute, there are two areas (home, work) for each user. As mentioned above, the address information can be provided by the user at the time of ordering, and the latitude and longitude data can be input to the business, or the system can locate the user's position when the attribute code is received, and dynamically pass the attribute code (ie ^* 71) input, and then store this data in a database to characterize the user area. In the former case, the user provides street address information and XYTP-GIS24 translates this information into a latitude and longitude suitable for area definition.

When the user subsequently initiates or receives a call, a positioning operation is performed, at which time the calculated latitude and longitude are compared with the "circle" or "circles" stored in the database. If the data is within that circle, the user is considered to be working within the coverage of that particular area. If the user is not currently in any stored area, he is considered to be working in a macro cell environment.

The previously described LSB operation (FIG. 5) has the application of generating a charging record which characterizes the location area. The information expected to be included in the records is as follows:

·Mobile identification number

·date

· Time of day

·Accessed community

·Accessed sectors

· Access area

·Record correlator

The record correlator is used to simplify the matching of detailed billing information, which is usually generated within the MSC 20, and the zone records are generated by the application. This step is usually done as a post-processing, or offline operation. The "Access Area" field is the area determined as described above, and is used for rate calculations. The remaining information is also used in the record association process between MSC20 and HLR16.

Note that it is possible, depending on the capabilities of the switch 20, to consolidate the area information into the detailed billing records generated by the switch 20, thus obviating the need to generate records by the LSB application 30.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred method of operation of LC 28 which stores a plurality of location data points in system 10. Referring to FIG. The flow begins in an idle state, shown at step 300 . Processing begins at step 302 upon receipt of location information 42 from the LFC 26 . The location information is time-stamped and stored in a database based on the mobile subscriber number, step 304 . One of the functions provided by LC28 is subscription, that is, the application can be notified whenever the location information is updated for a particular user. This leads to decision step 306, which determines whether any applications have subscribed to location update notifications for this particular user. If not, the flow returns to the idle state, step 300 . If so, the flow moves to step 308, where the positioning information is sent to the user applications, informing them about the user's current location. Control then returns to the idle state, step 300. A second processing branch associated with this function handles the ordering process. In the idle state 300, an order request may be received from an application, step 310. Control then moves to step 312, where an order database is updated. This database contains a list of ordering applications and other data related to ordering business needs, such as the maximum age of location data. After the database is updated, control returns to the idle state, step 300. A third processing branch occurs when a particular user's location is considered "stale" by a registration application. In idle state 300, a time elapsed message is received for a certain user, step 316. In step 318 the HLR 32 is queried to determine if the subscriber is currently using a voice channel. If the subscriber is not using a voice channel, control proceeds to step 320 where the HLR 32 is controlled to cause the BTS 22 close to the subscriber unit 34 to generate an "audible" message which is received by the subscriber unit causing a "registration" message to be generated. " message, in step 322 it then causes the location information of generation update, then control returns to idle state, step 300. If the subscriber is using a voice channel, control passes to step 324 where the voice channel information for the subscriber is sent to the LFC 26 and thereafter to the appropriate LFE proximate to the subscriber unit. The LFE "tunes" to the indicated voice channel, locates the user, generates updated location information, and then returns control to the idle state, step 300 .

Other advantages and modifications of the above described apparatus and methods will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, it may be desirable to reduce fraud by authenticating a mobile identification number, such as by looking up a mobile unit's personal identification number. If the received PIN does not match the stored number, the user may be denied service. Authentication can only be performed when the user is outside a predetermined personal location area, such as the aforementioned residential area. As another example, a service could be provided that does not allow calls when the user is outside a predetermined area. Such a limited-use service can provide a flexible approach to traditional landline services. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, embodied devices, and illustrative examples shown and described above. Various modifications and changes may be made to the above technical description without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, and it is contemplated that the present invention includes all such modifications and changes provided that they are included in the following claims and within the range of their equivalents.

Claims (7)

1. the method for the charging of a wireless communication system, it comprises following steps:

Receive the Mobile Identification Number of a sign mobile unit;

According to a nonperiodic signal that receives from mobile unit, finish a stage construction location survey;

From lane place of memory retrieval, this lane place is indicated by an attribute codes according to Mobile Identification Number, and code is launched from mobile unit;

Many aspect positioning measurement result and lane place; And

Produce the station message recording of a mobile unit.

2. have a kind of in the following situation at least according to the process of claim 1 wherein: the step that produces the station message recording is in response to comparison step, and wherein nonperiodic signal comprises a mobile unit and inserts message; The lane place is selected from one group of lane place, and all there is a different charging rate each lane place in this group.

3. according to the method for claim 1, also comprise one of following at least situation: the step that confirms Mobile Identification Number by the personal identification number of inquiry mobile unit; With the step of notice mobile unit about the lane place.

4. according to the method for claim 2, wherein the station message recording is in response to the charging rate of the lane place that retrieves.

5. equipment of in wireless communication system, charge calling out, it comprises:

A base station is used to receive a Mobile Identification Number of unique identification mobile unit;

A positioning measuring device, it is connected with the base station, and this positioning measuring device is finished the stage construction location survey according to the nonperiodic signal that receives from mobile unit;

A memory, it is connected with the base station, and this memory comprises the lane place of Mobile Identification Number, and this lane place is indicated by an attribute codes, and this attribute codes is launched from mobile unit;

A processor, it is in response to base station and memory, and this processor is compared the stage construction positioning measurement result with the lane place that retrieves; And

Generate the processor of station message recording for mobile unit.

6. according to the equipment of claim 5, wherein have a kind of in the following situation at least: processor produces the comparative result between the lane place that the station message recording measures and retrieve in response to stage construction, and wherein the stage construction positioning measurement result is based on the time of advent relevant with nonperiodic signal and angle of arrival degrees of data; This processor produces the station message recording in response to the lane place; This base station is notified to mobile unit to the lane place; This lane place is elected from one group of lane place, and all there is different charging rates each lane place in this group.

7. according to the equipment of claim 6, wherein the station message recording is in response to the charging rate of the lane place that retrieves.

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